Interview(s) Update

So I drove into Seattle today for the 1:30 interview with the ad agency that was hastily set up last night around 7:00, in response to their pleading that I come in "right away" and their promise that I could name my time and they'd clear their schedules and look forward to meeting with me.

Uh-huh, sure.

Turns out the Creative Director had doubled -- if not triple-- booked herself, and that others with whom I was supposed to meet were running around like chickens with their heads cut off, ready to meet with me... and then suddenly NOT ready due the most recent ad-agency-esque crisis. By 3:00 my friend and I had completely caught up on each other's lives (which was almost worth the visit in itself) and I continued to wait. Finally the Creative Director informed me that they'd "need [me] to come back another day, perhaps this Friday afternoon?"

Perhaps. Perhaps not.

I definitely got the feeling that all they need is a warm body that can chug along for endless months of 18-hour days, with a "Project Manager" sign attached. They have an account that needs work and they need workers. At the risk of jumping the gun, but with the comfort of going with my gut and intuition, I have to say...

...probably NOT for me.

That violates my self-imposed decree of always doing work that matters in an environment where my unique contribution matters.

I drove home thinking trying not to fume about being begged to come in and then being hussled in and hussled out without ever being interviewed, and trying not to think about the $4.00/gallon commute that was for naught.

While I was on the freeway heading home, my cell phone rang. It was my contact at the executive search firm regarding the position I came this close to not applying for, the one with whom I had the pre-interview phone interview last Friday. The one I now really want! Turns out the CEO of the organization wants to meet me about the Director of Program Development position. Am I available this Friday at 1:30?

You BET I am!